"Hum," said Verty.
"Something is on my son's mind, and he has tied his heart up—mal!"
"No, no," said Verty, "I assure you, ma mere, I'm quite happy."
And having made this declaration, Verty stopped smoking and sighed.
The old woman heard this sigh, slight as it was, with the quick ear of the Indian, and was evidently troubled by it.
"Has Verty seen the dove?" she said.
The young man nodded with a smile.
"Did they laugh?"
"They laughed."
"Did he come away singing?"